Edwin Jackson has plenty of bullets left

D-backs righty threw 149 pitches in no-hitting the Rays

Edwin Jackson, who has a relatively low-mileage arm, was never concerned about his high pitch count (149) in completing the fourth no-hitter of this season

"I haven't been a pitcher my whole life, so I don't have those innings," Jackson told MLB.com. "I didn't have a lot of innings under my belt. There's a lot more guys in this clubhouse who have a lot more innings than I do, through high school, through college. I didn't really start pitching until 2002, 2003, so I don't have that stress on my arm."

Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch recognized Jackson's durability in allowing the talented right-hander to complete the 1-0 win over the Rays on Friday night.

"Edwin Jackson is a guy who is built to withstand that more so than a lot of other pitchers," Hinch said.

Bubbly arrives from former teammate Shields: When Edwin Jackson entered the clubhouse on Saturday, he found a bottle of champagne from former teammate James Shields of the Rays awaiting him as congratulations on his no-hitter.

"If it was him, I'd feel the same way," Jackson told MLB.com. "He's a good friend of mine, and I would feel just as happy for him."

Michael Young not ready for a break: Veteran Michael Young has started every game this season for the first-place Rangers, and he's not ready to sit one out.

"It's pretty much just the way I want it," Young told the Dallas Morning News. "[Texas manager Ron Washington] gives me some innings off here and there. But I haven't had a day off since 2003. If I haven't played, it's because I wasn't able to go physically."

"He just comes to play every day," Washington said. "I don't think he's going to play 162, but I don't see him wearing down right now. And he knows how to calm his mind and body down. He's done it for a while."

Dickey developed durability in college: R.A. Dickey, who has won all six of his decisions with the Mets, once threw 183 pitches on two days' rest while pitching in college.

"The truth be known, the coach tried to take me out three different times, and I wouldn't let him," Dickey told the New York Post. "I think I even challenged him to a fight at one point in the dugout. I remember that in the moment I thought it was worth it, that's for sure."

Cano's rise came from hard work: Larry Bowa coached third base for the Yankees before joining the Dodgers along with Joe Torre, so he isn't surprised to see Robinson Cano taking his all-around game to new levels this season.

"He's one of the best second basemen I've seen in a long time," Bowa told the New York Daily News. "There's nothing he can't do. I always thought he would be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. He's got a much better idea of the strike zone now; he doesn't just hack."

Cano and Alex Rodriguez used to join Bowa for special practice sessions during Spring Training.

Like Martinez, Lincecum standing tall: Pedro Martinez's success helped pave the way for small-framed power pitchers like Tim Lincecum.

"I didn't look at him in an iconic way," Lincecum told the Boston Globe. "It's more like he was the guy who opened the door for pitchers like me. I used him as an example."

"It's not only taking the plan from the clubhouse to the game, but it's him involving himself and making adjustments on the fly based on what the opposition is doing," Tracy told the The Denver Post. "He has really taken a major step forward with regard to that. I am extremely pleased with what I am seeing."

Chipper Jones gets curtain call thanks to teammates: After Chipper Jones hit a key home run Saturday, he was unavailable for a curtain call. So when the Braves took the field, his teammates stayed back in the dugout and gave the crowd a chance to honor the future Hall of Famer.

"It was cool," Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I felt a little uneasy being out there by myself, but it was a nice gesture. It just goes to show that the fans here in Atlanta are getting behind this club and excited about some of the late-inning heroics that we've had over the past month and a half."

A-Rod's work ethic gets high marks from Bowa: The Yankees' series with the Dodgers gave Alex Rodriguez a chance to reunite with Larry Bowa, the third base coach for Los Angeles. Rodriguez and Bowa were together for several seasons in the Bronx.

"He's one of the hardest workers I've ever been around," Bowa told the Los Angeles Times about Rodriguez. "He's got so much natural ability, but I don't think he'd be where he is with natural ability alone. People don't understand how much time he spends in the cage or taking ground balls."

Crosby makes return to longtime home: Bobby Crosby, who signed with the Pirates, enjoyed his weekend in Oakland, where he spent the first seven years of his career.

"It's a little weird, but it's fun at the same time to see some of my buddies out here," Crosby told the Oakland Tribune.

"When I was looking at somewhere to sign, it's a place that I thought I had an opportunity to play a good amount," Crosby said. "I already knew the manager, and I knew his reputation. So it's something where it was what I expected."

Rhodes picking up All-Star momentum: After nearly two decades in the Majors, Arthur Rhodes could make his first All-Star Game appearance.

He's getting attention in player balloting around the league. At least three members of the Cardinals -- Ryan Ludwick, Mitchell Boggs and Kyle McClellan -- included him on their ballots.

"I think it's incredible what he's done this season," McClellan told MLB.com. "He's a guy who has played 17 years and never been in an All-Star Game. Closers get all the recognition, and the other bullpen guys don't. I think it's unfortunate when a guy like him -- who has done a great job at his position -- does not get in the All-Star Game because he doesn't get saves."

Buehrle hard to top in Interleague Play: Mark Buehrle has a 23-6 record in Interleague Play.

"So, I'm [in trouble] when we go back to the American League?" Buehrle jokingly asked MLB.com. "I'm sunk."

Hawksworth relishing chance to start: Blake Hawksworth has picked up a couple of starts in recent weeks for the Cardinals, including a win over the weekend.

"In my heart, I want to start," Hawksworth told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't. ... I train to start. I like to start. And when something like this pops up, you take the ball when asked. You do your job. And maybe, maybe that can extend the opportunity."

Halladay at home on home turf: Roy Halladay was happy to pitch in Philadelphia this weekend rather than his former home in Toronto as originally scheduled.

"It helped a little bit," Halladay told the Philadelphia Daily News following his team's 9-0 victory on Friday night. "Going back there would've brought up more memories. ... That would've brought it home a little more."

The G20 Summit in Toronto forced the Blue Jays to play their weekend "home" series with the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Dusty Hughes sad to see World Cup hopes come to an end: After the United States was eliminated from World Cup action over the weekend, Dusty Hughes had a particularly rough time dealing with the final loss.

"It's tough," Hughes told MLB.com. "I'm a huge soccer fan. I played for 15 years growing up, so it's kind of heartbreaking. I think if they would've gotten past that game, they could've gone a lot farther. They've been playing from behind the whole tournament."

Hawkins making progress with arm: LaTroy Hawkins plans to throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since May 6. Hawkins, who has been following a throwing program for the last two weeks, has been on the DL since May 7 with weakness in his right shoulder.

"It's time to go to the mound," Hawkins told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I feel great. I feel like I was last September, October. The next step is doing it off the mound and see how I feel after that."

Bourgeois making his mark: Jason Bourgeois, a native of the Houston area and a recent callup from Triple-A Round Rock, made a favorable impression in consecutive starts in the outfield for the Astros.

"He's looked extremely good since he came in here, both offensively and defensively," Astros manager Brad Mills told the Houston Chronicle.

"I'm trying to put myself in position to help the ballclub win," Bourgeois said. "I'm trying to be aggressive and play my game and have a lot of confidence going out there."